People on the Move: May 3

People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.

Wren Lester, Ph.D., CPHQ, LSSBB, has been appointed ChristianaCare’s inaugural chief experience officer. In this role, she will establish the vision and organization-wide strategic imperatives for transforming caregiver engagement and the care experience of our patients and their families.

Wren Lester | PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTIANACARE

Lester has an extensive background in experience leadership, most recently serving as chief experience officer at SUNY Downstate Health in Brooklyn, New York. There, she developed an innovative playbook for caregiver engagement, patient experience and intuitive, data-driven, AI digital patient engagement solutions.

Lester’s expertise and contributions have been widely recognized. She was honored in 2022 and 2023 as one of Becker’s Top 50 Chief Experience Officers to Know. Her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is evident in her service on a national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council. As a national Baldrige Examiner from 2016 to 2018, she conducted organizational performance assessments across multiple industry sectors throughout the U.S. Her efforts have led to the successful design of processes to achieve top decile outcomes in customer experience, workforce engagement, patient safety and performance improvement.

Previously, Lester served as associate vice president of patient experience at Planned Parenthood in New York City; corporate director of performance excellence and strategic planning, and director of quality management at RWJBarnabas Health-Jersey City Medical Center in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Her academic achievements include a doctorate in Health Sciences Leadership and Organizational Development from Seton Hall University, a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from The New School of Social Research, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University.

Lewis Brisbois welcomed Ann Kashishian to its Wilmington office as a partner in the firm’s Complex Business & Commercial Litigation and Bankruptcy & Insolvency Practices. Kashishian has represented clients in complex litigation matters for over a decade. Prior to joining Lewis Brisbois, she owned and operated her own law firm for more than 6 years, where she consistently secured positive results for alternative entities, corporations, and individuals in litigation matters throughout the Delaware and federal court systems. She also has successfully represented numerous committees and individual creditors in chapter 11 and chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.

Ann Kashishian | PHOTO COURTESY OF LEWIS BRISBOIS

In discussing her decision to join Lewis Brisbois, Kashishian explained that she was interested in transitioning from being a sole practitioner to working with a team. She said, “When I met the lawyers at Lewis Brisbois, I thought, ‘Wow! These are great people and they do great work.’ Our practice areas align and there are great resources here for my clients.” Ms. Kashishian further explained that her practice has always involved the interpretation of complex contracts. “I love digging into the nuances of language and using that to represent my clients,” she noted.

Kashishian participates in the Delaware Bankruptcy American Inn of Court, volunteers with a local animal rescue organization, sings in community choirs, and acts at regional theaters throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware. She has also served on the board of directors for a non-profit theater located in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Kashishian earned her law degree from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University. She is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Delaware.

Paula Ennis | PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF NEWARK

The City of Newark named Paula Ennis the director of parks and recreation. Ennis joined the City of Newark in 1999 as the recreation supervisor of athletics and was appointed deputy director of parks and recreation in 2016.

As deputy, she oversaw the management and maintenance of over 650 acres of parkland, 52 parks and open space areas, 17 miles of trails, and more than 386 acres of forested lands. Additionally, she and her team organized and facilitated more than 200 programs and events each year including sports leagues, health and fitness programs, arts, camps, and community events.

“I’m proud to announce the promotion of Paula Ennis as the new head of Parks and Recreation. Her appointment is recognition of her exceptional service in our community,” Tom Coleman, city manager, said. “Paula embodies the spirit of leadership we strive for, and I’m confident she will continue to elevate and expand the department’s offerings.”

Ennis earned her bachelor’s degree in recreation management from Iowa State University and is certified by the National Recreation and Park Association as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional. Prior to beginning her employment with City of Newark, she was the assistant director of the fitness and wellness center at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

Longwood Gardens named Chris Cole the vice president of horticulture. Cole will lead Longwood’s 137-person Horticulture Department, further advancing the world-renowned Gardens’ commitment to the art and science of horticulture, while creating innovative seasonal displays, gardens, and landscapes, and advancing scientific research and land stewardship practices.

Chris Cole | PHOTO COURTESY OF LONGWOOD GARDEN

Cole brings more than 30 years of international horticultural experience at both public and private gardens, most recently with Australia’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, which includes two sites, Cranbourne Gardens and Melbourne Gardens. For the past 14 years, Cole has served as the executive director of the 178-year-old Melbourne Gardens, overseeing 75 full-time employees at the 94-acre Garden that welcomes two million visitors annually. While at Melbourne Cole successfully delivered world-class horticultural displays, developed and implemented strategic plans centered around climate change and sustainable design, and oversaw public programming initiatives.

“I am honored to join Longwood Gardens and help advance its legacy of horticultural excellence and innovation,” Cole said. “I look forward to collaborating with Longwood’s talented team to further elevate the Gardens’ mission and create awe-inspiring experiences for guests.”